New York Islanders make most of limited chances to win 3-1 over Winnipeg Jets - NHL Update
The New York Islanders made most of their limited opportunities as they defeated Winnipeg Jets 3-1 on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.
The Islanders win puts them back in contention for a playoff spot as they move up to 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 24-24-8 record and 56 points trailing eighth placed Toronto Maple Leafs by just six points.
New York was outshot for the entirety of the game by a 38-25 margin but goaltender Evgeni Nabokov continually frustrated the Jets offence that for once looked lively on the attack.
The goaltender made 37 saves during the game.
The defeat puts Winnipeg down to tenth in the Eastern Conference with a 26-26-6 record and 58 points.
The Islanders went down by a goal in the first period but kept calm in the face of incessant Winnipeg attacks.
They returned back into the game in the second period equalising the score, while two third period goals secured an important road win for the team.
P.A. Parenteau who scored to give the Islanders the lead in the third period waxed lyrical about his team’s offensive performance and praised their calmness in the face of adversity.
"We know we're not the best offensive team, but we know if we're patient and have enough skill from our top forwards that we're going to get it done. That's the main thing when we play on the road. I think we've been having success since we've been doing
that."
Jets coach Claude Noel though did not like what he saw and another defeat after an 8-5 mauling by Pittsburgh Penguins led the coach to ponder reshuffling some of his line-up.
"It's got to the point where we have to make some drastic moves or change some things. You've got to either rejuggle, reshuffle the personnel, there's some things we have to look at.”
Winnipeg took the lead late in the first period after outshooting the Islanders 16-10. Chris Thorburn scored his third goal of the season at 17:50 to make it 1-0.
The Islanders, however, responded early in the second period. Matt Moulson took full advantage of the power play at 3:55 to equalise.
Winnipeg continued on the offence to regain their lead but Nabokov looked unbeatable in front of the net.
The Islanders took the lead for the first time during the game in the third period and never looked back. P.A. Parenteau scored at 1:36 to make it 2-1.
Matt Martin increased the lead to two goals in the final minute of regulation time as the Islanders ran out 3-1 winners.
New York will now face their toughest away game yet as they travel to St. Louis to face the Blues who are one of the best teams on home ice on Thursday, while the Jets will look to end their two-game losing streak with a win over struggling Minnesota Wild.
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